Fox, a resident of New Hanover and a police officer in Upper Merion, was shot and killed Sept. 13, 2012, near the Schuylkill River Trail with a gun purchased by a Philadelphia man, Michael J. Henry, and resold to Andrew Thomas of Lower Merion. Fox had pursued Thomas from a hit-and-run traffic accident and was shot by Thomas with the gun. Thomas was on probation from a 2005 forgery arrest in Upper Merion and was not permitted to possess firearms. Thomas killed himself after shooting Fox.

Heath said she supports the agenda of Bloomberg’s group because she sees it as a way to “keep our police officers more safe.”

She said is also opposed to “assault weapons or military-style weapons or magazines with dozens of rounds.”

Heath also pointed to the regional efforts of the “First Suburbs” group, which recently received a $500,000 grant from the federal Housing and Urban Development office to study ways to keep low-income housing from being concentrated in older communities like Pottstown.

These and other ongoing efforts are the types of things Heath pointed to as her reasoning for seeking a second term.

“I do a lot of networking with people who want to open businesses to try to get them to look at Pottstown,” Heath said after Monday’s council meeting.

“I’ve sent dozens and dozens or referrals to Steve Bamford” she said in reference to the executive director of Pottstown Area Industrial Development, or PAID, which takes the lead in economic development in Pottstown.

“I travel in a pretty wide arc in my other job and I am always looking for ways to promote Pottstown,” she said.

“I asked the advice of a lot of people (about seeking a second term) and the people of Pottstown have been very gracious to the mayor’s office, whomever is occupying it,” she said. “I just wish I could be everywhere and do everything.”

Added Heath, “it will be up to the people.”

She may not be the only candidate in the field.

A group of residents calling itself “We Are Pottstown” has been meeting and is trying to put together a reform slate of candidates.

About the Author

Evan Brandt has worked for The Mercury since November 1997. His beat includes Pottstown, the surrounding townships and the Pottstown and Pottsgrove school districts, as well as other varied general topics like politics, the environment and education. Reach the author at ebrandt@pottsmerc.com
or follow Evan on Twitter: @PottstownNews.